Alkaliphilic Actinomycetes I.Isolation, Identification and Some Characterization

Five strains of alkaliphilic actinomycetes were isolated from Al-Fayoum region soil, Egypt. Four strains A3, A6, A8, and A10 were classified as genus Kitasatospora on the basis of morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics. These strains produced aerial mycelium consisting of chains of 20 or more smooth-surface spores. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained both LL- and meso-DAP (diaminopimilic) acid and galactose. Alkaline media were favored for growth, production of aerial mycelium and soluble yellow-brownish pigments. All these strains may be considered as new species for the genus Kitasatospora. The fifth strains contained neither meso-nor-LL-DAP (diaminopimilic acid) also it didn’t contain any diagnostic sugar in the whole-cell hydrolysate. The colonial growth of strain A11 was beige beaver yellow-brownish. It may be considered as a new genus. All isolated strains had a temperature range of 25-40°C and pH range (7-12). Lecithinase; protease and lipase enzymes were secreted by all strains on neutral and alkaline egg emulsion agar medium. All strains reduced nitrate degraded gelatin, casein, skimmed milk, starch, tween 60, DNA, Urea, L-tyrosine and hypoxanthine.